© Walther Otto Müller (in: O. W. Thomé, Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, 1885) · Public domain · Commons
Ground elder
Giersch · (Aegopodium podagraria)
Carrot family (Apiaceae)
Description
Ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the carrot family (Apiaceae) that forms dense stands via creeping white rhizomes and reaches 30 to 100 cm in height. Its diagnostic features are the three-angled (triangular in cross-section) leaf stalk and the doubly ternate-pinnate leaves; small white flowers appear in compound umbels from June to July. The young leaves, smelling and tasting of parsley and carrot, are the main part used. Traditionally the leaves, stems and roots were used against gout and rheumatism, reflected in the epithet 'podagraria' (from podagra, gout of the foot). As a wild vegetable it is rich in vitamin C, minerals and polyacetylenes.
The young leaves are a classic spring wild vegetable with a high vitamin C content (about 200 mg/100 g) and a savoury parsley-and-carrot flavour.
Preparation & dosage
Use young, still glossy leaves before flowering (March to May) raw in salads, herb quark or pesto; reliably distinguish from poisonous umbellifers before harvesting.
Cooked, ground elder has been used as a spinach substitute since antiquity; leaves harvested before flowering are the mildest.
Preparation & dosage
Briefly steam older leaves like spinach or prepare them as soup or a vegetable dish; after flowering the leaves become more pungent and mildly laxative.
A herb infusion is traditionally drunk against gout and rheumatic complaints; the species epithet points to this traditional use.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 250 ml of boiling water over 1 to 2 g of dried herb, steep for 10 minutes and strain; up to three times daily.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 4 weeks
In folk medicine the herb is credited with a mild diuretic action for bladder and kidney complaints.
Preparation & dosage
Infusion of 1 to 2 g herb per 250 ml water, steeped 10 minutes; up to three times daily, ensuring adequate fluid intake.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 4 weeks
Externally, crushed leaves were applied as a poultice for joint pain, insect stings and minor injuries.
Preparation & dosage
Crush fresh leaves or apply them as a warm poultice (compress) to aching joints, stings or minor wounds.
The flowers are also edible and serve as a decorative, mildly aromatic garnish.
Preparation & dosage
Sprinkle the young white umbel flowers (June to August) raw as an edible garnish over salads and dishes.
Sources: [1]
Ground elder belongs to the Apiaceae and can be confused with highly poisonous relatives such as poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) or fool's parsley (Aethusa cynapium). Reliable identification features: the three-angled leaf stalk (triangular in cross-section), the absence of a hairy stem, and the characteristic smell of carrot and parsley. If in doubt, do not harvest. After flowering the leaves can have a mild laxative effect.
⏱ Max continuous use: 4 weeks
Harmless as a wild vegetable in culinary amounts; due to a lack of data, concentrated medicinal preparations (tea, tincture) should be avoided in pregnancy.
Harmless in culinary amounts; no data are available for medicinal preparations during lactation.
Suitable as a vegetable for children; before gathering, safe identification against poisonous umbellifers must be carried out by adults.
Contraindications
- Uncertain identification or risk of confusion with poisonous umbellifers.
Harvested part: young leaves (before flowering), flowers, root
- Time of day:
- Late morning, once the dew has dried.
- Drying:
- Dry spread out airily in the shade or in small bundles; most aromatic when used fresh.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Dried in airtight containers, dark and dry.
- Time of day:
- In autumn after the foliage has died back.
- Drying:
- Wash the roots, cut them up and dry at mild warmth.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Dry and dark in sealed containers.
- FalcarindiolOtherRoot
Polyacetylene; described as a COX-1 inhibitor in an in vitro study and a main compound in the plant's extracts.
- FalcarinolOtherAerial parts
Polyacetylene occurring together with falcarindiol in leaves, roots and the essential oil.
- Ätherisches Öl (Sabinen, alpha-/beta-Pinen, Limonen, Myrcen)Essential oilAerial parts
Sabinene is the dominant component in flowering plants (up to ~63%), accompanied by pinenes, myrcene and p-cymene.
- Flavonoide (Quercetin, Kaempferol, Apigenin, Rutin)FlavonoidLeaf
Antioxidant flavonoids detected in various parts of the plant.
- Hydroxyzimtsäuren (Kaffeesäure, Chlorogensäure-Derivate)Phenolic acidLeaf
Phenolic acids contributing to the antioxidant capacity of the leaves.
- CumarineOtherAerial parts
Coumarins typical of Apiaceae, present in small amounts.
- Vitamin CVitaminContent: ca. 200 mg/100 gLeaf
Young leaves contain about 200 mg vitamin C per 100 g fresh weight.
- Mineralstoffe (Calcium, Eisen)MineralLeaf
About 130 mg calcium and 3 mg iron per 100 g, making ground elder a nutrient-rich wild vegetable.
- [4]MonographAegopodium podagraria – Plants For A Future (PFAF)(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [5]MonographAegopodium podagraria – Henriette's Herbal Homepage(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [6]MonographThe polyacetylene falcarindiol with COX-1 activity isolated from Aegopodium podagraria L. (J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007, PMID 17574359)(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [1]WikipediaGiersch – Wikipedia (de)(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [2]WikipediaAegopodium podagraria – Wikipedia (en)(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [7]CommonsFile:Illustration Aegopodium podagraria0.jpg (Thomé, Flora 1885)(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [3]WikidataAegopodium podagraria (Q157419) – Wikidata(accessed: 2026-06-08)
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